5 Daily Struggles of the Disabled
The struggles of people with disabilities are wide-ranging. Some of these come from the physical environment, while others are a result of people’s attitudes toward disability. Life can be challenging enough; facing barriers that make life more difficult can be overwhelming. While it isn’t possible to remove all of the obstacles people with disabilities face, there are answers for some.
What are the Most Common Struggles People With Disabilities Face Daily?
Many rehabilitative tools can be used to gain strength and improve independence. Lack of access to these tools makes an already challenging issue more significant.
Living in an environment that is not accessible due to your disability can create struggles every day. The exact hindrance will depend on the disability, but facing stairs, challenging access to the toilet or showering, or difficulty in food preparation can all make life more complicated than it needs to be.
Additionally, the lack of available tools to help you overcome challenges can create strain both physically and emotionally. There are so many assistive and adaptive devices available today that it is a shame when they are not available to people that would benefit from them. Many rehabilitative tools can be used to gain strength and improve independence. Lack of access to these tools makes an already challenging issue more significant.
Negative attitudes from others can also create challenges. The opinions, even when couched with concern, are a drain on your daily life and emotions. It is frustrating to feel that others are judging your entire worth on one part of your being.
How to Live a More Comfortable Life
While it may be impossible to move or make other drastic changes, using assistive devices can go a long way in easing your day to day struggles.
There is no arguing with the fact that living with a disability makes life more challenging. While there will always be obstacles present, there are ways to smooth some of the rough edges that make life a challenge.
Arranging your living space in a way that makes life more simple is one way to increase comfort levels. While it may be impossible to move or make other drastic changes, using assistive devices can go a long way in easing your day-to-day struggles.
Assistive devices are used to help you with the activities you need to do to get through your daily life. They can include mobility aids such as walkers and wheelchairs, hearing aids, computers and tablets with specialized software to help with cognitive issues, and many other items.
Assistive aids also include belt alternatives such as the BeltBro. Going beltless is possible if you use a product such as the BeltBro, which allows you to tighten your pants with one hand. Belt alternatives and other clothing aids, such as pincers that help pull socks on, can drastically cut down on the time and energy it takes to get ready in the morning, and going beltless makes restroom trips during the day much less daunting.
The struggles of people with disabilities should not be underestimated. However, there are many ways to improve your quality of life.
Building a community can help ease the feelings of isolation and “otherness” that often goes along with disabilities. Community comes in many forms. It may include joining a support group of individuals who share your disability, but it can also be something as simple as volunteering for a group you feel passionate about. You can meet others with shared interests, and your disability becomes just part of who you are, not who you are.
The struggles of people with disabilities should not be underestimated. However, there are many ways to improve your quality of life. Take time to consider what parts of the day you find most challenging, and look for assistive devices to help you better manage those tasks. If you are feeling isolated or alone, boost your mental health by seeking professional help as well as reaching out to your community.
Sources & References:
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/disabilityandhealth/disability-barriers.html
https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/rehabtech/conditioninfo/device
